As Dusk Falls: A Gripping Narrative Adventure That Will Keep You Coming Back for More
As Dusk Falls, a choice-based narrative experience from newly-formed developer Interior Night, is a captivating crime drama that dives deep into the lives of two families intertwined by a fateful event. While the developers are fresh on the scene, the team behind Interior Night has produced gems like Heavy Rain and Beyond: Two Souls. As Dusk Falls lives up to the potential set by their previous work, offering a gripping story that sucks you into a world similar to shows like Breaking Bad and Fargo. The branching storyline encourages multiple playthroughs as you strive for the best possible outcomes for characters who will grow on you, even if you initially find them unlikeable.
While I confess to not being a huge fan of choice-based narrative games initially, I was also hesitant about the developer’s decision to use a graphic novel art style instead of fully-animated scenes. However, I’m glad I stuck with As Dusk Falls. The game’s strengths lie in its compelling story, strong character development, and the powerful impact of the choices you make.
The Heart of the Story: A Tale of Two Families
The story of As Dusk Falls unfolds through the perspectives of Vince Walker and Jay Holt. Vince, an ex-aircraft mechanic who has lost his job under suspicious circumstances, embarks on a cross-country road trip with his wife Michelle, daughter Zoe, and estranged father Jim. They’re heading to St. Louis, Missouri, in search of a fresh start. A minor accident forces them to seek refuge in a roadside motel in Arizona. This seemingly innocuous pit stop leads them into a terrifying situation when the Holt brothers, including Jay, take them and other civilians hostage after a failed robbery attempt.
From this moment forward, every decision you make will shape the destinies of these characters. Relationships can crumble, new alliances can form, and lives can be lost. It’s crucial to think carefully before making any choices, as characters may not reveal their true nature initially. As Dusk Falls doesn’t follow a linear narrative, providing depth to its characters and revealing their motivations and desperate circumstances through flashbacks.
In my first playthrough, I made a fatal choice early on, only to deeply regret it later when I learned more about the character involved. This experience highlights the morally-ambiguous nature of the choices you have to make, which ultimately encourages replaying the game to try and make amends and experience a completely different storyline.
A Choice-Driven Gameplay Experience
As Dusk Falls presents you with a series of quick choices. The game sets a timer for each decision, encouraging you to act swiftly. You can extend the timer if you need extra time to ponder your options. The game also notifies you when a choice leads to a Crossroad, a critical branching point in the narrative with irreversible consequences. The game sprinkles in quick-time events to keep you engaged, although many of these events feel repetitive, often involving mundane tasks like fixing an air conditioner or sawing wood.
The game is divided into six chapters, each taking over an hour to complete. At the end of each chapter, you’re presented with a story map that illustrates your choices along with empty boxes representing alternate outcomes. This feature is a fantastic way to plan your next playthrough, whether you start from scratch or simply replay a specific chapter.
As Dusk Falls enhances its replayability by including a co-op mode, allowing up to eight players to join your game locally, online, or a combination of both. You can also download a companion app to your smartphone, allowing your non-gamer friends to join in the fun and participate in the decision-making process. This creates a unique social experience where you can debate choices with friends and even vote on the direction of the narrative.
Artistic Style: A Graphic Novel Embrace
Interior Night opted for a water-brushed style for both the world and the characters in As Dusk Falls, further amplifying its graphic novel aesthetic. While this artistic choice might take some getting used to, it ultimately delivers a memorable and immersive experience. The excellent sound design and captivating background score further enhance the overall experience.
The voice acting in As Dusk Falls is top-notch, with flawlessly executed conversations that flow smoothly between choices. However, I found the voice actor for Zoe, the young daughter, to be somewhat mismatched with the character, which occasionally broke the immersion.
As Dusk Falls: A Gripping and Worthwhile Experience
Despite this minor flaw, As Dusk Falls is a compelling debut from Interior Night. The game offers a captivating narrative with a branching storyline and difficult choices that keep your mind racing. The moral dilemmas you face constantly force you to weigh the consequences of your actions, and the destinies of the characters hang in the balance. This emotional tug-of-war is amplified by the game’s stunning visuals and fantastic voice acting, bringing the world and characters of As Dusk Falls to life.
The inclusion of a co-op mode and the Explore Story feature greatly enhance the replayability factor. Even though the initial playthrough takes roughly six to seven hours, you’ll be drawn back to As Dusk Falls to uncover new storyline paths that you missed the first time.
Pros:
- Excellent voice acting and sound design
- Intriguing story and characters
- Compelling choices with lasting consequences
- Local and online co-op mode
- Captivating storytelling
- High replayability
Cons:
- Tedious quick-time events
- Art style may not appeal to everyone
Rating (out of 10): 8
As Dusk Falls is a captivating narrative adventure that deserves a place in your gaming library. Its engaging storytelling, challenging choices, and diverse cast of characters will keep you coming back for more. It’s a testament to the power of choice-based narrative games and a promising debut from a developer with a proven track record of creating immersive and emotionally resonant experiences.
